My New Project - Building a Hexacopter!

My HexaCopter!!

I started on this project since I found out that it can be controlled by an Arduino! I've been obsessed with the Arduino for quite some time now, and this is the perfect project to bring it to a new height!(Literally!)

Check out this video! My first outdoor flight test!

This project uses an Arduino board "MultiWii Pro" Find out about MultiWii here! 

This was really a crash-course for me, from researching to buying the parts, building and programming it, all took less than a hundred hours!

That was the building part, learning how to control it is another is another science by itself. I started out with this mini quadcopter from RC Logger, using it to learn flying before I move on to crash my Hexacopter...

Mounted a mini camera on it, flying these are fun! Isn't this cute?

Now back to my Hexacopter!

HexaCopter(6 blades) running on MultiWii code with 3-Axis Gyro, Accelerometer, Barometer (senses height), Magnetometer (senses direction), GPS with altitude hold, position lock, waypoint missions and "Return-To-Home"(RTH) function.

All it means is that it balances itself and knows where it is on the global map using the onboard "Global Positioning System"(GPS), allowing it to navigate itself out or return home without much user input.

I'm experimenting it with codes outside of the MultiWii, so I have 2 flight controller on board. In case my codes doesn't work, I can switch to the second one (KK Flight Controller) and still flies it!

I haven't mount it yet, but I also got myself a 1000mW video transmitter so that I can fly "First-Person-View (FPV)! With a video goggle, you can feel as though you are onboard the aircraft!

If you're interested in the Arduino, wanting to get started or just curious about what an Arduino is, join this forum! It's a Singapore based Arduino community! Or just "like" this Facebook page!

Till later...

With love,

  - Kiki Tay

Kiki's Robotic Table Project v3.5

My Robotic Table Version 3.5
** GEEK ALERT **

This is a blogpost to share with the electronics/robotics community. If you are curious, read on!

This project of mine had gone a long way with several builds and rebuilds. Now it's at version 3.5!
Check out the video!



Attracting attention wherever it goes!

I'm using a new modular system as supporting frames. The extra weight requires more power so I decided to make this new version an 8-wheel system. 

Servo system that drives the door sequence!

Final prototype!

The entire project requires heavy current, so I used a 2650mAh 3S 30C Lipo battery with a 8A UBEC as a power regulator.

Prototype Prototype!!

Looks better with skirting! This is just temporary, my next upgrade should make it look a whole lot better!

Version 4 is going to be exciting! I'm adding a pneumatic system, Arduino programmed LEDs as well as a smoke delivery system! Watch out for it!

With love,

  - Kiki Tay

Electronics - Building a Robotic platform for my show! - Part 2

**GEEK ALERT!**

This post has a lot of "tech-talk". If you're not into electronics/robotics then you can skip this post! This is my contribution to the robotics community..

Building a robotic platform... Part 2!

To continue from my previous post, this prototype..

THIS WENT INTO THE TRASH!

I'm starting anew from scratch with a new idea!

Instead of servos, I'll be using geared motors. As the saying goes... With new motors, comes new motor mounts.. (not quite how the saying goes but..)

After a bit of researching, I decided on these.. These are 12v DC motors geared down to about 45rpm.

Nicely mounted to a piece of clear acrylic and testing it out with a direct drive from a battery.

 Using a geared motor instead of servos has its benefits. I can now use Li-ion battery instead of a Li-poly with a voltage regular. The geared motors draws much less current than a servo.

This time I'll be using a programmable motor driver instead. This is also from Pololu (I love Pololu!) This little board allows many adjustments. You can program the acceleration, the speed and even mix the signals across multiple boards. It even has built-in temperature sensors, over-current protection and fail-safe options!

Mine came as a kit, but you can buy them ready-made. I enjoy the "making" process and I wanna change a few pins connection method, so I'll solder my own board :-)

Testing out the controller over an RC receiver...

 Another great thing about this board is that it has a built-in voltage regulator. I can run this with a single 12v battery and it automatically regulates the voltage to power the board and the RC receiver, so no separate power is needed!

Once I got it working, time to add a second board!

Programming the drivers...

Testing it out!

If you notice, using a geared motor made it much more quieter (as compared to servo motors)

The final layout! (Yeah, lots of scotch tape  :-P )

Putting it to the test!

Having each driver drive 2 wheels each allows me to move them in the X & Y axis.. I still a rotating function to compensate for the little offsets while trying to travel in a straight line, also a need for it to rotate on the spot. I would need one motor driver for each wheel. I ordered some and now I'm waiting for it to arrive. 

Check back for new updates!

With love,

  - Kiki Tay

Directing the finale item for WSH Awards

17th July 2012
I directed the finale item for the Workplace Safety and Health Awards 2012.

(Scroll to the bottom for video!)

This year, we've got a talented singer to close the event. Glory Ngim.

The amazing piece of music arrangement was specially composed for us by Bang Wenfu.

Rehearsals at studio...

 My good friend Aidil choreographed the dance for me. Aidil must be one of the most experienced and professional choreographers in Singapore. He was the lead choreographer in the SAF MDC (Singapore armed forces, Music & Drama Company) I've learnt so much from him during my 2 years serving in MDC :-)

Setting up for the event...

Grabbing a quick bite, my only meal of the day... 

How can I do a show without special effects? Lasers, bubbles, mirror balls and confetti launchers!

Alan hard at work aligning the lasers system...

Glory trying out the mechanical wings I made! (More about this in later posts)

Rehearsals on stage...

Lasers, bubbles and mirror balls make me happy!! 

Arthur giving a speech... ;-P

Hard at work! 

Stage is ready... Enters audience!

Getting ready backstage..

Final run-through...

 

And it's SHOWTIME!

Thank you everybody for making this show a success!

With love,

  - Kiki Tay